Youth from the Fairfield stake (diocese) in Sydney volunteered their time in August to revitalise the Parramatta Female Factory Precinct, formerly the Parramatta Girls Home, to make it Australia’s first international “Site of Conscience”.
The youth cleared debris, painted walls and woodwork and helped to repair this significant historical facility as shown on the video.
The precinct’s historical institutions - the Female Factory, Lunatic Asylum, Orphanage and Industrial Training School/Girls Home - had been 'home' for impoverished, neglected, abused, abandoned and marginalised men, women and children since colonial convict times.
Bonney Djuric, a former resident of the Girls Home, thanked the youth for their work. “We so appreciate the Mormons helping in this ground-roots community effort to preserve this site. It makes an impact connecting local residents and future generations to bring about healing to this historical place in such a positive way.”
According to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, service to others is an important characteristic of a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is willing to bear other people’s burdens and to comfort those who need comfort.
A core element of the Church’s young men and young women programs is service to others. Young Mormons participate in projects as diverse as major disaster relief, reading to hospital-bound elderly and clean-up projects in local communities.